Lowell ‘Bud’ Mertz

CHADWICK – Lowell “Bud” Mertz, age 96, of Chadwick, Illinois, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Quincy Veteran’s Home, Quincy, Illinois.

Private burial of ashes will take place at the Chadwick Cemetery. Cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made in Lowell's memory to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project. Family and friends are invited to share in Lowell's life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Lowell was born March 4, 1923, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Albert and Clara (Deitrick) Mertz. He is a graduate of Sterling High School, Sterling, Illinois. On July 11, 1942, Lowell married Ruth Sands in Sterling, Illinois. They celebrated 76 years of marriage and raised three children. Bud served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII.

In younger years, Bud was known as a great baseball player, having offers to play in the professional league, but work and WWII changed those plans. Bud owned and operated a body and repair shop in Chadwick for over 20 years. He then went to work for General Electric in Morrison and worked in maintenance for another 20 years. He was a member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark, and a past member of the Chadwick American Legion.

Bud will be dearly missed by his wife, Ruth Mertz of Chadwick; a son, Jim Mertz of Chadwick; two daughters, Judy Kraft of Willis, Texas and Debbie Mertz of Chadwick; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lolita.